Novak Djokovic claimed a 19th Grand Slam title and have become the primary man in 52 years to win all 4 majors twice when he got here from two units right down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a gripping French Open ultimate on Sunday. The world primary triumphed 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over the Greek 22-year-old who was taking part in in his first Slam ultimate. Djokovic is now only one main away from equalling the all-time document of 20, collectively held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
It was a second French Open crown for Djokovic after his 2016 victory and provides to his 9 Australian Opens, 5 Wimbledon titles and three on the US Open.
The 34-year-old is the primary man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all 4 Slams on a number of events and simply the third in historical past.
He can also be the primary man ever to win a Slam title by twice getting back from two units down in identical the event.
Djokovic now has 84 profession titles in whole whereas Sunday’s win pushed him to the brink of $150 million in prize cash.
“It was an electric atmosphere,” stated Djokovic after the four-hour 11-minute ultimate.
“It’s a dream. It’s difficult to win the title against a great player. It was a difficult three days physically and mentally,” he added.
Djokovic had additionally spent greater than 4 hours on courtroom on Friday to knock out defending champion Rafael Nadal.
Tsitsipas survived a nervy opening service sport, having to avoid wasting two break factors.
Djokovic, in contrast, did not concede a degree in his first three service video games.
But all of the sudden he confronted a set level within the tenth sport courtesy of an unsightly shank however saved it after a 26-shot rally.
Fired up by a time violation, Djokovic broke for the primary time for a 6-5 lead however was unable to serve out the opener as a sequence of razor-sharp returns put Tsitsipas again on degree phrases.
In a dramatic tiebreaker, Tsitsipas noticed a 4/0 and 5/2 lead disappear.
He needed to save a set level earlier than claiming the opener after 70 minutes when Djokovic fired a forehand vast.
Dropping the opening set at this 12 months’s Roland Garros was acquainted territory for Djokovic.
He needed to get well from two units right down to beat Lorenzo Musetti within the final 16 and misplaced the opener in opposition to Nadal on Friday.
Tsitsipas, 12 years the world primary’s junior, broke once more within the first sport of the second set because the 2016 champion appeared more and more weary within the 30-degree afternoon warmth.
The Greek edged forward 5-2 and pocketed the second set together with his eighth ace of the competition.
But the highest seed wasn’t completed, breaking within the fourth sport of the third set to chop the deficit.
Tsitsipas then referred to as the coach to deal with a again drawback which additionally gave him the chance to alter the clay-covered shirt he’d worn since a primary set tumble.
Thirty minutes later, it was two units apiece after Djokovic secured a double break.
Promoted
As the shadows swept throughout Court Philippe Chatrier, Tsitsipas’ temper additionally darkened as he slipped 3-1 down within the decider.
As the clock ticked previous 4 hours, he fought off two extra break factors within the seventh sport however Djokovic was to not be denied his newest slice of historical past taking the glory on his second championship level.
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